HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
BE PREPARED! TABLE OF CONTENTS Basic Preparedness Tips... 3 Preparing Your Home... 4 What To Do... 5 Make a Hurricane Plan... 6 Important Information... 7 pacu.com 800.433.7228 2
BASIC PREPAREDNESS TIPS Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information. Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies and copies of your critical information. If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads. Make a family emergency communication plan. Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, conduct an internet search for your town, city or county name and the word alerts. Family Emergency Communication Plan Your family may not be together if disaster strikes, so it is important to have a plan in place. Consider the following questions when making a plan: How will my family get emergency alerts and warnings? How will my family get to a safe location? How will by family get in touch if cell phone, internet or landline doesn t work? How will I let my loved ones know I am safe? How will my family get to a meeting place after the emergency? For a downloadable emergency plan template, visit https://www.fema.gov/make-a-plan pacu.com 800.433.7228 3
PREPARING YOUR HOME Hurricane winds can cause trees and branches to fall. Before hurricane season, trim or remove damaged trees and limbs to keep your property safe. Secure loose rain gutters and downspots and clear any clogged areas or debris to prevent water damage to your property. Reduce property damage by retrofitting to secure and reinforce the roof, windows and doors (including garage doors). Purchase a portable generator or install a generator for use during power outages. Remember to keep generator and other alternate power/heat sources outside, at least 20 feet away from windows and door and protected from moisture. NEVER try to power the house wiring by plugging a generator into a wall outlet. Consider building a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter designed for protection from high winds in locations above flooding levels. pacu.com 800.433.7228 4
WHAT TO DO Hurricane Watch Hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours Review your evacuation route(s) and listen to local officials. Review the items in your disaster supply kit; add items to meet household needs for children, parents, individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs or pets. Hurricane Warning Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours Follow the hurricane preparedness checklist, depending on when the storm is anticipated to hit and the impact that is projected for your location. 36 Hours from Arrival Turn on your TV/radio to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions. Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Plan how to communicate with your family if you lose power. During disasters, sending text messages is usually more reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded. Review your evacuation plan with your family. You may have to leave quickly, so plan ahead. Keep your car in good working condition and the gas tank full; stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes. 18-36 Hours from Arrival Bookmark your city or county website for quick access to storm updates and emergency instructions. Bring inside loose, lightweight objects (patio furniture, garbage cans) that could become projectiles in high winds; anchor objects that could be unsafe to bring inside (propane tanks) and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building. Cover all of your home s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8 exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. 6-18 Hours from Arrival Turn on your TV/radio or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions. Charge your cell phone so you will have a full battery in case you lose power. 6 Hours from Arrival If you re not in an area that is recommended for evacuation, plan to stay at home or where you are. Let friends and family know where you are. Close storm shutters and stay away from windows. Flying glass from broken windows could injure you. Turn your refrigerator or freezer to the coldest setting and open only when necessary. If you lose power, food will last longer. Keep a thermometer in the refrigerator so you are able to check the food temperature when the power is restored. Visit http://www.fda.gov for more information on how long food remains safe during and after a power outage. Turn on your TV/radio or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions. After a Hurricane Listen to officials for updates and instructions. Check in with family and friends by texting or using social media. Return home only when the authorities have indicated it is safe. Watch for debris and downed power lines. Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and fast moving water can sweep your vehicle away. Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. It may also hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away. Photograph any damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim. Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property (putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm. pacu.com 800.433.7228 5
MAKE A HURRICANE PLAN Know your hurricane risk. Talk to your local emergency agency. Make an emergency plan. Build or restock your basic disaster supplies kit, including food and water, a flashlight, batteries, chargers, cash and first aid supplies. Consider buying flood insurance. Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground or to evacuate. Stay tuned to local wireless emergency alerts, TV or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions or evacuation orders. pacu.com 800.433.7228 6
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Emergencies can happen at any time. Does your family know how to get in touch with each other if you are not all together? Before an emergency happens, have a family discussion to determine who would be your out-of-state point of contact, and where you would meet away from your home both in the neighborhood and within your town. Let them know you re OK! Pick the same person for each family member to contact. It might be easier to reach someone who s out of town. Be sure to look it over every year and keep it up to date. Home: Cell: Email: Out-of-Town Contact Neighborhood Meeting Place: Regional Meeting Place: Work Information School Information Workplace: Workplace: http://www.ready.gov/kids School: School: School: pacu.com 800.433.7228 7
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Family Information Medical Contacts Doctor: Doctor: Pediatrician: Dentist: Dentist: Specialist: Specialist: Pharmacist: Veterinarian/Kennel: Insurance Information Medical Insurance: Policy Number: Homeowners/Rental Insurance: Policy Number: Text, don t talk! Unless you are in danger, send a text. Texts may have an easier time getting through than phone calls, and you don t want to tie up phone lines needed by emergency workers. pacu.com 800.433.7228 8
pacu.com 800.433.7228 Information from http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes Piedmont Advantage Credit Union is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender and is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.